1978
- Jean Lassale introduces their phenomenal ultra-thin mechanical watches.
- In May, Citizen creates the first watch with a movement measuring less than 1 mm thick. Seiko passes them in July with a 0.89 mm movement.
- The sister companies ETA SA and Adolph Schild SA merge to ETA and constitute the largest raw movement watch manufacturer in the world.
- The Zenith Radio Corporation as the owner of the watch manufacturer Zenith loses interest in mechanical movements and orders to stop the production and to destroy all movements, fournitures and machinery. The head of the chronograph studios, Charles Vermot, however, is opposed to this order and hides large quantities of movements, tools, machines, and all design and manufacturing drawings in the attic of the traditional manufacture.
- Audemars Piguet introduces the world's thinnest automatic perpetual calendar watch, using Cal. 2120QP which measures just 3.95 mm in height.
- The Santos de Cartier is launched, a homage to the original Cartier Santos of 1911, regarded as “the world’s first wristwatch.”
- IWC introduces the Porsche Design compass watch, with a magnetic compass and ETA 2892 automatic watch in one.
- Also Rolex relies, according to the zeitgeist, on quartz technology and brings out the Rolex Oysterquartz.
- Jaeger-LeCoultre and IWC sold to VDO Automotive, forming the basis for today's Richemont Group.
- Breitling lays off all remaining workers and ceases production. The brand would be purchased and re-launched the following year.